Books

Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1981. Unbound. Near Fine. Vintage, contemporary illustrated poster. Measuring 27½" x 23". Reproduces the black and white printed illustration for the original dust jacket by Ed Lindlof, for Toole's novel *A Confederacy of Dunces.* Small chip in upper margin not affecting the image or text. Poster for the posthumously published novel that was the first work of fiction published by LSU, and which had a very small first printing (reportedly 2500 copies). Initially the book was rejected by dozens of publishers and the author committed suicide in 1969. Years later the author's mother brought the manuscript to Walker Percy, insisting that he read it. Percy championed the book, arranged for its publication, and contributed an introduction. Excellent reviews and word of mouth led to its becoming a best-seller, and eventually it won the Pulitzer Prize. This poster list several few highlights from contemporary American reviews or comments…

A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel by American novelist John Kennedy Toole, published by Louisiana State University Press in 1980, 11 years after Toole's suicide. The book's title refers to an epigram from Jonathan Swift's essay, 'Thoughts on Various Subjects, Moral and Diverting': 'When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.' Set in New Orleans, the novel bursts with rich and vivid characters, especially the protagonist, Ignatius J. Reilly, whose comedic misadventures are a highlight of the narrative.